(Richard Arnold – The Jamestown Foundation) Russia’s war against Ukraine surpassed the duration of the Great Patriotic War on January 11, leading the Kremlin to seek new historical motivations—including the elevation of the Cossacks as imperial-era symbols—to sustain ideological and societal support. The Kremlin is nationalizing and institutionalizing Cossack movements across Russia, integrating them into military symbolism, regional governance, and recruitment efforts, including participation in the 2026 Victory Day parade and expansion into new regions. Cossacks are embedded into Russia’s wartime ideology through hero worship, youth education, and memorialization of fallen fighters, reinforcing militarization and a historical narrative linking imperial traditions to Russia’s future.
Russia Uses Cossacks to Sustain Ideological Support for War – Jamestown
